Method of playing pai-gow poker

ABSTRACT

An improved game of pai-gow poker is set forth that includes offering the player a way of playing the game of pai-gow poker and three card poker combined. A wager for the basic game and an optional low hand wager can be placed. Each player receives 6 cards, the player will set the 6 cards and make two poker hands of 3 cards each. The “High hand” must always be higher than the “Low hand”. This game Improves the game of 3 card poker and 7 card Pai-Gow Poker.

REFERENCES CITED [REFERENCED BY] U.S. Patent Documents

U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,444 August 1997 Dahl

U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,392 August 1997 Hansen

U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,774 November 1997 Webb

U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,614 December 1997 Patter et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,574 February 1998 Hughes

U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,216 March 1998 Jones

U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,472 August 1999 Ko

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to poker games commonly seen in casinos.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Poker is played world wide. The game is played using a set of 52 playing cards (standard deck in common use today). Basically to play the game, players make a wager, and at his discretion may elect to place a wager on the consolation prize pool. All wagers for the basic wager and consolation prize wager must be made before the start of a hand. A dealer shuffles the cards and distributes to each player 6 cards. The players arrange their cards as to the standard ranking of poker hands (known to all who play poker). After the players have arranged their high and low hands, the dealer then turns over his/her cards and arranges them into the highest possible high hand and best possible low hand. The high hand must always be higher than the low hand. Each player's hands is then compared to the dealer's. If the dealer's two hands are higher than the players hand the player looses his basic wager. If the second wager was made on the consolation prize pool the dealer then compares the players hand to the list of consolation prize list as listed in claim 3. If the player's hand matches any of the combinations listed in the consolation hand the player is awarded an amount listed in the payoff schedule. Hence it is now obvious that the player can win even as he lost the basic wager.

One of the drawbacks of poker is that a player can have an extremely high ranking hand and still end up with a loss. This can be frustrating as a player who may only rarely see such a combination of hands.

A further drawback of poker is that a player cannot expect to receive a large reward several times their initial wager. For a player to win a large amount they must risk a large amount. Making a wager on the consolation prize pool allows the player a chance to receive a large payout for being a very poor hand.

There is therefore a need for an improved method of playing poker. The consolation prize pool overcomes the drawbacks noted above by providing opportunities to reap greater rewards, by rewarding players who obtain certain combinations regardless of the ultimate outcome of the hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is therefore set forth according to the present invention a method for playing an improved game of poker which may be embodied in either a table game format or in an electronic device.

The method includes the player making a decision prior to the dealing of the cards opting to make at least one on a base wager and a second on a consolation prize wager. Similarly a player need not make a consolation prize wager. A player can opt to make both of the wagers. After the wagering options have been exercised, the dealer deals cards to each player and the dealer in the traditional poker fashion. Each player and the dealer arrange their 6 cards into two hands of 3 cards each. Players and dealer attempt to set the highest hands that they can achieve, If the player has made a base wager and his hand is outranks the dealer's corresponding hand the player is declared to have obtained a winning hand and the player is rewarded an amount equal to their base wager minus a 5% commission. If the player has made a consolation prize wager and his cards include one of the lowest hands possible card combinations, the player is declared to have obtained a consolation prize outcome and the player is rewarded based upon the amount of their consolation prize wager. The consolation prize card outcome combinations may be any selected combinations but combinations of

-   -   (a) 2,3,5 (b) 2,3,6 (c) 2,3,7 (d) 2,4,5 (e) 2,4,6 (f) 2,4,7 (g)         2,5,6 (h) 2,5,7 (i) 2,6,7     -   (j) 3,4,6 (k) 3,4,7 (I) 3,5,6 (m) 3,5,7 (n) 3,6,7 (o) 4,5,7 (p)         4,6,7 (q) any special meaning to the casino     -   (r) excludes straights and flushes, Ace is always the highest         card or as desired by the casino. the highest card or as desired         by the casino.

In some of the traditional games of poker, a player may elect to be the banker for a hand and therefore plays against the dealer and the remaining players for the base wagers only. Any consolation wager is always guaranteed by the house, and collected by the house even if a player elects to be the banker. The house is in control of the consolation prize pay out.

The payoffs for winning consolation prize wagers may range from even money (1:1) up to, 100:1 or more as determined by the difficulty to achieve a give combination of cards.

As can be appreciated, the game provides for players to obtain high rewards during the play of poke, rather than simply winning even money less a house commission. The base wagers, players can participate in the consolation prize wager and reap greater rewards.

Furthermore, a player having made a consolation prize wager and obtaining a qualifying consolation prize combination is rewarded regardless of whether or not his base wager has won or lost. Furthermore, by providing the consolation prize feature, players unfamiliar with the game can simply make consolation prize wagers and if their cards achieve a qualifying consolation prize outcome, they can win. They need to know nothing about the arranging of the hand to participate in the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages will become better appreciated as the same becomes better understood with reference to the claims, specification and drawings wherein

FIG. 1 shows the arranged of three card poker with the highest card being a 5 in the order of ranking according to the rules;

FIG. 2 shows the arranged of three card poker with the highest card being a 6 in the order of ranking according to the rules;

FIG. 3 shows the arranged of three card poker with the highest card being a 7 in the order of ranking according to the rules;

FIG. 4 shows the special consolation prize combinations of the selected numbers that have particular significance to the casino and is played according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a typical layout of the playing table used for this game

DESCRIPTION

Turning to the drawings, the improved poker games according to the present invention will now be described.

With reference to FIG. 1, shows the preferred 3 card poker lowest hands to win the consolation prize wager.

With reference to FIG. 2, shows the preferred 3 card poker low hands to win the consolation prize wager with a six and lower.

With reference to FIG. 3, shows the preferred 3 card poker low hands to win the consolation prize wager with a seven and lower.

With reference to FIG. 4 shows the special meaning numbers that can be created by the casino using the 3 card poker hands with a special meaning to the casino, that can win the consolation prize wager (i.e. years in business)

With reference to FIG. 5, shows the preferred table layout with the consolation prize wager area.

While the following description is directed to play of the improved game as a live action game, it is to be understood that the method according to the present invention could be incorporated into an electronic device for playing by a player.

To play the game, each player opts to make one wager and an optional consolation prize wager. The player need not make both and can make only one as desired to participate in the game. Depending upon the wager or wagers desired by the player, the player places their base wager in the base wager area and a consolation prize wager in the consolation prize wager area, to signify to the dealer that the wagers are being made. Table minimums and maximums may dictate the minimum and maximum amount of such wagers that can be made by the player.

Furthermore, should a player so desire, the player can wager multiples of the base wager. for the hand in a manner well known with the play of traditional poker games. If the player so declares themselves to be the banker,(if the house rules allow) they then play against the other players and the dealer and in essence book the base wagers. However, typically the dealer, is supplied by a casino, acts by default as the banker for the hands. The consolation prize is always played against house and will make all payouts. The following description will assume that no player has declared themselves the banker for the hand and therefore the casino dealer acts as the banker. In advance of dealing the hand, the dealer mixes the cards and, as is well known, continues to deal 6 cards to each player who has placed a wager. After the players have received their cards, each set their best poker hands (high and low hand). If less than seven players are playing the game, undistributed hands are removed from play and set aside.

The player having received their cards, arranges their cards into the best and highest hands, in both the front and back hands failing to have a high hand he would look to see if his hand is on the lowest possible list to qualify for the consolation prize (assuming he placed a wager for the consolation prize). Thereafter, the dealer turns over players cards without changing any hand. The player's hands are then compared to the dealers hands in order to determine if both hands are higher, lower, or higher on one and lower on one. To determine if the player has obtained a winning, losing or push outcome. For players only making consolation prize wagers, the hand is examined for the lowest possible hand. For players having made the wager and where their hand outranks the dealer's hand , the player is declared to obtain a winning outcome and the player is rewarded even money for their base wager less a 5% commission.

For those players having made the consolation prize wager, the make-up of the player's cards is compared to determine whether one or more pre-determined consolation prize combinations can be formed. While any suitable combination or arrangement can be selected as a consolation prize combination, preferably, and with reference to claim 6 are deemed to be consolation prize combinations:

The player's cards are examined to determine if a consolation prize combination can be made regardless of whether or not the hand has won or lost the basic wager. If the player has obtained a consolation prize outcome, the player is paid with a payoff based upon the amount of their consolation prize wager.

Preferably only the lowest possible hand is used to determine the consolation prize payout. Pay-out will be on only the lowest hand. No payment for the second hand.

As stated, even if a player has obtained a losing outcome for their base wager, they may have in their hand a consolation prize combination entitling them to a consolation prize payoff. Furthermore, the player may not even participate in the base game and may simply make consolation prize wagers and hope to obtain a consolation prize outcome. A player desiring not to play the consolation prize wager can simply play the consolation prize wager.

The game thus described provides players with an opportunity to reap great rewards of up to 100:1 or the like by making a consolation prize wager. This contributes to the excitement of the playing.

Furthermore, players unfamiliar with poker may simply make consolation prize wagers making the game more available to players who are completely unfamiliar with the game. As they play consolation prize wagers they may become more familiar with the game and thereafter decide to participate in the base wagers as well. Accordingly, the game provides players with various options as to how to play the game and provides, with the consolation prize wager, an opportunity to reap a payoff many times the amount of the wager. Still further, a player can receive a consolation prize payout even though they may lose a base wager to the dealer. As a further advantage, by selecting the consolation prize combinations as described above. This will sustain the player's interest in the game. Furthermore, while a bad hand obtaining a consolation hand, if the player has made a consolation prize wager, will entitle the player to a payoff as determined by the schedule pay-out. This makes the consolation prize wager in addition to the base wager the equivalent of buying insurance against a worst hand would normally be disappointing to a player playing the base game, would turn the event into a pleasant surprise for the player. Still further no skill is required to play the consolation prize wager. The dealer will identify the lowest ranking consolation prize outcome even if the player cannot identify it by himself. It is believed that this game will help cultivate new players to the game as they become more familiar with how to identify the hand combinations. Ultimately these players will wish to participate in the base game and set their own hands.

The dual hand settings coupled with the consolation wager increases the excitement for the players. Furthermore, for those players who have also made the consolation prize wager, have a chance to win even as they loose their main wager. This means additional revenues for the casino. Still further, regardless of the hand, the casino always banks the consolation prize wagers and collects losing consolation prize wagers.

Detailed description of play, referring to FIG. 5

Table 5 is the preferred layout for the dealer to control play.

One to seven players 14 sit around table 5 at locations 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7.

Players 14 place their basic wager in location 20 at all player 14 who desire to place the optional wager on the consolation prize place an additional wager on location 22.

Dealer 16 will pick up the shaker(or press the random number generator) to determine what position receives the first six cards. Cards to be dealt are in location 12.

Six cards are placed at each location even if no player 14 is seated at the location.

The dealer 16 will collect all cards from vacant locations 14 and place them at location 24.

Each player 14 will now set their hands into two of the strongest hands possible.

Hands are set with highest hand at location 18 high and the low hand at location 18 low.

Dealer now sets his high and low hand and compares each high and low to his hand.

If player 14 beats the dealer on both hands the dealer will pay even money minus a 5% house commission. If the player 14 wins one part and is beat on the second part it is a push and no wagers are taken. If the dealer beats the player 14 on both hands is a loss and the players 14 wager is taken.

The players who have placed an additional wager on the 22 consolation prize will now be evaluated by the dealer to determine if there is a qualifying hand, if there is the payment is made regardless if the basic wager is won or lost on the basic wager.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of the present invention it is to be understood that one skilled in the art can find other combinations not listed herein, in an attempt to circumvent the invention described in this invention, and it will be subject to modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. 

I claim:
 1. An improved method for playing a game of poker using a field of cards wherein the Player makes a wager, and a hand is dealt consisting of six cards. During the course of playing the player must end up with two poker hands each containing three cards. The player has the option of making two wagers, First wager on the winning hand method, second wager on receiving one of the lowest possible poker hands. If the player has placed a wager on the consolation prize. The player will receive the consolation prize even though he may have lost the basic wager. The improvement in the method of play comprising: selecting card combinations in such a way to result in two hands of three cards in a attempt to make both poker hands as high as possible. Certain card combinations can not be made very high and consequently will result in the two hands being weak. Thus the offering of a consolation prize for getting one of the worst possible hands in the game, or getting the special meaning hand; The Player making a consolation wager has the option of placing a wager on the consolation prize prior to being dealt any cards whether or not he has made a base wager; comparing the Player's the players two poker hands of 3 cards to that of the dealer to determine a win, loss, or push. In addition comparing the low hand to said selected consolation prize outcome combinations; and rewarding the Player for a win with the highest 3 card poker hand and possibly for obtaining one of the worst possible hands or getting the special meaning hand. The outcome of the consolation prize is based upon his consolation prize wager and the Player can have a win, loss, or push on the two 3 card poker hands possibly losing his regular wager for failing to obtain a winning hand but still winning the lowest possible consolation prize.
 2. The method of claim 1 including rewarding the Player for winning the high and low hands over the dealer.
 3. The method of including rewarding the Player for winning the consolation prize for receiving one of the lowest possible 3 card poker hands.
 4. The method of claim 3 including establishing the consolation prize card combinations as 1 (a) 2,3,5 (b) 2,3,6 (c) 2,3,7 (d) 2,4,5 (e) 2,4,6 (f) 2,4,7 (g) 2,5,6 (h) 2,5,7 (i) 2,6,7 (j) 3,4,6 (k) 3,4,7 (I) 3,5,6 (m) 3,5,7 (n) 3,6,7 (o) 4,5,7 (p) 4,6,7 (q) Special meaning for casino (ie: address number) (r) excludes flushes, straights, where Ace is always the highest card when evaluating the consolation prize. (s) other possible consolation prizes may be at the casino discretion. (t) other possible special combinations that are significant to the casino
 5. The method of claim 3 including rewarding the Player based upon his consolation prize wager substantially according to claim 3 if the Player obtains from his cards one of the consolation prize combinations that do not contain 3 cards of the same suit.
 6. An improved method for playing a game in the general classification of poker using a field of cards wherein the player makes a base wager, a hand is dealt through the normal course of play consisting of dealing 6 cards to each of the players and a dealer, each of the player and dealer arrange their cards into 2 hands of 3 cards each being the best 3 card poker hand possible. If the players both hands are higher than the dealers he/she wins their wager minus a house commission of 5%, if the players both hands are lower than the dealers the wager is lost, If one of the hands is higher and the second hand is lower the hand is a push, no wager is won or lost, however if the player has placed a second wager on the consolation prize pool the dealer will check to see if the hand matches any of the combination listed in claim 4 if so the player is paid an amount based upon his wager on the consolation prize pay-off list of low hands or special meaning hand. The player will receive immediately the consolation prize amount listed in the payoff table. If both the dealer and player have the same value hand the player will still be paid the consolation prize because the wager on the consolation prize or special meaning hand wager is a non competitive bet. the improvement comprising: designating as a consolation prize outcomes the card combinations of (a) 2,3,5 (b) 2,3,6 (c) 2,3,7 (d) 2,4,5 (e) 2,4,6 (f) 2,4,7 (g) 2,5,6 (h) 2,5,7 (i) 2,6,7, (j) 3,4,6, (k) 3,4,7 (I) 3,5,6 (m) 3,5,7 (n) 3,6,7 (o) 4,5,7 (p) 4,6,7 (q) special meaning number (r) excludes straights and flushes, Ace is always the highest card. The Player making a consolation prize wager prior to dealing of the hand whether or not he has won his base wager; shall receive the consolation wager payout prize. comparing the player's cards of his hand to said designated consolation prize outcome card combinations; and rewarding the Player for obtaining one of the lowest hands possible in the game. The outcome combination is based upon his consolation prize wager and the player losing his consolation wager for failing to obtain a consolation prize combination.
 7. The method of claim 6 including the dealer rewarding the player for only the lowest possible combination ranking card combination.
 8. The method of claim 6 including the dealer rewarding the player based upon his consolation prize wager.
 9. The method of claim 6 can be applicable to any series of 3, cards within the deck to that form a special combination that has special meaning to the casino, (ie.casino opening date) that can be used in a three (3), card poker hand. The dealer will reward the player based upon his consolation prize wager substantially according to claim 3 if the player obtains one of the consolation prize combinations 